Bayler had what looked like a big skin tag on his right elbow for years. The vet looked at it eveytime we went in for checkups and said don't worry about it. Over the last year it started growing and turning red. I took him back in and she says he has a tumor we need to remove this immediately. So he had his tumor removed about 1 1/2 week ago and the oncologist reports came back a couple of days ago.

They said Bayler has fibrosarcoma(on the skin). This type of cancer is normally found in the bones or in the mouth area. She says this a very rare form of the cancer which means they don't know very much about it. She can't tell me much of anything except it might or might not return and doesn't know when it will. She did remove much of the skin around the tumor so the reports came back with all margins clean. She says this is very hard to do since the tumor was on a limb and not much skin to work with, so she is very hopeful for that. She says chemo/radiation could be an option, but she doesn't recommend it because of Bayler's age and the fact that he is very healthy otherwise along with outstanding bloodwork. I agree because a Rotti's normal lifespan is about 10 years and I don't want him to be sick for the remainder of his life being on treatment. They also say that the treatment doesn't rid the dog of the cancer like in humans, just shrinks it.....so it will never go away. Why put him through that.

I would rather see him live out the last few years of his life as a healthy, active, happy go lucky dog than to be sick, tired, and miserable. We have decided to stay postive and hope for the best. Hopefully we won't see the cancer return for at least 2 or 3 years and if it does we will just have it removed immediately again and of course have regular checkups and bloodwork done. I know God is watching over my baby and he will be alright.

Thanks for reading my story and keep us in your prayers......it works!

Gracie, I'm not trying to butt in, but thought I would share our experience. Trouble has osteosarcoma. Our original thought was same as you, let her live out her life. The day after her diagnosis, we had a second opinion consultation with the most wonderful vet. He took the time to talk us through all the options and let us (or maybe I should say led us) to make the decision we felt good about.

Trouble had a front leg amputation followed by five rounds of chemo. The chemo for her had minimum side effects, if it had been bad, I would not have continued and put her through that added misery. Don't discount the chemo until you have done extensive research. You may still decide it is not for you and Bayler, but it may also give him an extended life.

Each day with Trouble is a blessing. We know she is on borrowed time, but for now she is happy and healthy, and we are grateful for the decisions we made early on for her ongoing treatment.

Best of luck to you and Baylor. There are several cancer dogs here, I'm sure others will chime in.

gracie wrote: She did remove much of the skin around the tumor so the reports came back with all margins clean. She says this is very hard to do since the tumor was on a limb and not much skin to work with, so she is very hopeful for that.

Boy, do I know what THAT is like! Our Indy had his tumor removed from his ankle (carpus). Dr Blabs, our amazing vet, took large and deep margins as well, and it took what seemed like FOREVER for his ankle to heal! If you have a strong stomach, I detailed his bandaging process here: viewtopic.php?f=44&t=28873

We decided to go ahead with radiation because Indy is only middle-aged and we wanted to give him the best chance possible to live as long as possible. Dr Blabs and our oncologists all told us that Indy's tumor would more than likely grow back within the first year after surgery, and a second surgery to remove more tumor wouldn't be as successful because the tumor would grow back deeper and stronger. So far, he hasn't had any regrowth. But, if it does grow back, we'll most likely remove his leg -- luckily, his type of cancer doesn't spread in 99% of cases, so it will stay isolated to his leg.

Choosing to do further treatment is such a personal decision -- no one here will judge you if you choose to not go forward with it, so please don't worry about that. As long as you are satisfied with your research, your vets' opinions, and everything else that leads to your decision, and you're hapy with that decision, that's all that matters. And if you change your mind about treatment, we'll support that decision, too.

Never make someone a priority in your life when that someone treats you like an option.

We are a very supportive group here. You know your dog best, and I'm sure will make the right choices for him. It is great that the vet got clean margins!

Patch O' Pits Pursuit-O-Perfection

Run Hard at the Rainbow Bridge My Angel Sock-M! I Love You Baby Girl! Now that your Mom Starlit is up there too, please help her learn the ropes, love and keep her company until I can see you both again. Starlit I love you!http://i14.tinypic.com/2a8q345.jpg

Well, my story with Louie, my Lab and Carlo my Lab/Chow was similar, but different.

Louie had a odd lumpy thing under his paw. Watched it for a while. Got bigger. Turned out cancerous. Had it removed, but opted for no chemo/radiation, as he was 10. To stop the fast spread, Vet recommended leg amputation. I opted for digit removal. It gave him quality of life, as he continued to be a therapy dog at a local Assisted Living place.

Carlos was diagnosed a few months after Louie left me. He was older also, so I chose prednisone to hopefully slow it down, while keeping his appetite up. He passed over a happy, chubby boy. Maybe that is an option you can discuss with your Vet.

My old mutt, Elwood, ended up with a Hemangiosarcoma on his back...we removed that, cancer gone...but he ended up with a nasty infection. Treated that, he recovered fine. Then a couple years later, he ended up with Lymphoma...that moved VERY fast...he was sick very soon after diagnosis. I too, opted for no chemo or radiation...as he was already 10, and the oncologists/specialists didn't have much hope for any more treatment. We made him comfortable, and gave him whatever he wanted...spoiled to the end. He played flyball on his last day, ate a ton of treats from his friends, and passed peacefully on his own. I don't regret anything that I did for him. I miss him terribly, but I don't regret a thing.

As you see, we've all made different decisions...it's not black and white...you know Bayler, and you'll know what's best for him and for yourself.

"I don't have any idea if my dogs respect me or not, but they're greedy and I have their stuff." -- Patty Ruzzo

"Dogs don't want to control people. They want to control their own lives." --John Bradshaw

Thank you guys so much for the support and encouraging words. I do know my dog and will absolutely do what is best for him. Right now I am confident in my decisions and will cross each bridge as we come to it. I love my dogs dearly as they are like my children. I will do whatever it takes to help them live long, healthy, happy lives.